Stringed musical instrument



W. l. KIRK STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed on. 22. 1921 Oct. 27, 1925. 1,559,108

I mg w Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

UNITED STATES WALTER- I. KIRK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed October 22, 1921.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, IVALTER I. KIRK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chi.- cago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Stringed Musical Instruments,'of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to musical instruments, and more particularly pertains to novel improvements in stringed musical instruments, such as mandolins, guitars and ukuleles, the invention residing in a reinforcing means for the sound outlet opening usually provided in the wooden or other sound resonating chamber of the instrument.

It is well known to those skilled in this art that as a general rule the sound resonating chamber is usually constructed with thin wooden walls, and that one of these walls is provided with an opening permitting passage of sound vibrations. However, constant use of the instrument, and barometrical changes often cause the wood near the opening to become frayed, and sometimes split, thus not only detracting from the appearance of the instrument, but also damaging the tone. Efforts to overcome this difficulty by inlaying a series of circular or other shaped strips of material other than that of the wall near the opening have met with scant success, besides involving an expensive construction and prohibitive cost of manufacture.

It is therefore theprincipal aim of this invention to provide a novel and improved reinforcing annulus or similarly shaped element for disposition in the opening about the edges thereof, this annulus being composed of some readily expansible and contractible substance, such as celluloid, which will not only serve as a reinforcing element of low cost, but also will lend to and improve upon the general appearance of the instrument.

Other objects and advantages and a complete understanding of this invention will appear from the following detail description and the claim, taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Serial No. 509,603.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged'fragmentary section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. i is a sectional view taken on line l4 of Fig. 8.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 5 indicates the body or sound resonating chamber of the instrument, this body usually being composed of top and bottom walls and connecting side walls, all formed to the desired shape. The neck 6 is secured to the body 5 and is provided with a head 7 carrying the keys 8 which adjust the tension of the strings 9 of the instrument, which latter strings are anchored at 10 to a bracket secured to the top wall 11 of the sound resonating chamber 5. The top wall 11, as is customary, is provided with an opening 12 which permits the passage of sound waves.

As previously explained the opening is provided with reenforcing means, which as seen in Fig. 2, may comprise an annulus 18 having a circumferential shoulder 14 which snugly engages the edge of the opening 12. a portion 15 of the annulus overlying the wall 11 adjacent the opening therein. The surface of the annulus presented to view, that is the surface appearing in Fig. 1, is rounded as shown in Fig. 2, so as to present a neat and ornamental appearance. This annulus is preferably constructed of celluloid or some other material whichis readily expansible and contractible, and which will serve to prevent both fraying and splitting of the wood near the edge of the opening. Of course, the shape of the opening is shown circular but in some cases may be made other shapes, and it is the intention of this invention to be adapted to openings of various shapes.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the annulus 16 is substantially elliptical in cross section, and is provided with an external circumferential groove 17 adapted to receive the edge of the opening 12, hereinbefore referred to, thus providing portions 1818 which both overlie and underlie wall 11 adjacent the opening therein. Insertion of the annulus 16 is facilitated by splitting the same at 19, this spit being anplacement of the adjacent ends of the annugularly disposed so as to permit radial dislus. It will be observed that the reenforcing and ornamenting annulus shown in Figs. 3 and 4 may be of any shapedesired, conforming to the shape of the opening into which the same is to be inserted.

\Vhile the reenforcing device of my invention is intended to be snugly seated in the opening, it Will be obvious that it is desirable that the same be glued in place to prevent the setting up of any relative vibration between the annulus and the top Wall of the resonating chamber.

the annulus is constructed is not of great importance, as it may be of any material which-does not readily become arped or otherwise affected by barometric conditions.

It Willthus'be seen that the rim or annulus'serve'sto'overiapthe Wood of the Wall 11 near the opening, and thus prevents the same from-fraying or splitting, strengthens It will also be understood that the material from which and makes anore rigidthe top all 11, 21111 also enhances the appearance of the instru- Vment, Without materially adding to the cost,

of production.

It will be understood that changes and modi-fications may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lvhat I claimis:

In a stringed instrument, a resonant body of Wood havingza circular opening: in one: wall thereof, an annular-strip having an external groove adapted to receive the edge of said opening, and portions of the strip extending vabove and below the material of said Wall adjacent the opening, and said strip: being transversely split 'to permit of itsinsertion into saidopening.

in Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 16th day of September A. D., 19. 41.

' W ALT'ER I. KIRK. 

